In the ever-evolving landscape of the rental market, tenants are accustomed to a certain level of scrutiny when applying for a new home. However, a recent incident involving a Melbourne rental agent has left prospective renters and the wider community in disbelief, sparking a fiery debate about privacy and the boundaries of reasonable requests.

The situation unfolded when a renter, eager to leave their parents' nest, encountered what can only be described as an 'outrageous' demand from a real estate agent. The agent, representing DK Property Partners in the leasing of a three-bedroom home in West Footscray, sent an email that raised more than a few eyebrows.

A prospect tenant wanted to rent a home in West Footscray. Image Credit: DK Property Partners

The email, which was shared on Reddit to gauge public opinion, included a list of standard application documents. But it was the additional, unconventional requests that caught everyone off guard. The agent asked the applicant to provide a 'virtual tour' of their current residence by sending a video via WhatsApp, complete with their name and property address. If that wasn't enough to cause concern, the agent also requested the applicant's daily bank statements from the past three months.

This peculiar demand for a video tour of the applicant's current home, coupled with the intrusive financial scrutiny, has been met with a wave of criticism from social media users and tenant advocacy groups alike. Many were quick to label the request as 'sketchy,' with some suggesting it was a breach of privacy and potentially not even legally permissible.

Tenants Victoria, an organisation dedicated to protecting the rights of renters, weighed in on the controversy. Their chief executive, Jennifer Beveridge, advised that such requests should be flatly refused. 'It's a pretty strange request. Prospective agents don't have a right to tour your current home,' she stated. Furthermore, Tenants Victoria's website clearly outlines that rental providers or their agents are not allowed to ask for credit card or bank statements containing daily transactions during an application process.

The backlash was not just limited to online forums. Other renters shared their disbelief and discomfort, with one social media user suggesting a cheeky retort: 'Thanks. If I'm to provide a virtual tour via WhatsApp, could you please provide two written references for the lessor from previous tenants?'

The timing of this incident is particularly noteworthy as it coincides with a bill on housing reform that is set to return to the upper house in Victorian parliament. This bill aims to put a cap on what agents can request during rental applications, potentially preventing such invasive demands in the future.

For our members here at the Seniors Discount Club, this story serves as a reminder to remain vigilant and informed about your rights when searching for a rental property. It's essential to understand what is and isn't required of you during the application process. If you're ever in doubt, don't hesitate to seek advice from reputable sources such as Tenants Victoria or consult with a legal professional.

Key Takeaways

• A renter in Melbourne faced an 'outrageous' request from a rental agent to provide a virtual tour of their current home via WhatsApp and daily bank statements.
• The agent's demands prompted a backlash on social media, with users considering the request to be 'sketchy' and inappropriate.
• Tenants Victoria, an organisation supporting renters, stated that it is not legal for agents to demand day-to-day banking details as part of a rental application.
• The story highlights upcoming housing reform legislation in Victorian parliament that aims to limit what agents can ask for in rental applications.

We'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences on this topic. Have you ever encountered unusual or excessive demands when applying for a rental property? How did you handle the situation? Share your stories in the comments below, and let's support each other in navigating the sometimes tricky waters of the rental market.

 

[HelenFB]

I am just so glad that we own our house. Unlike our daughter and her husband, they are renting & cannot afford to purchase a house just yet.
Maybe she should set up a GoFundMe for her deposit

 

[HelenFB]

Just kidding…..

 

[Wombat2u2004]

The owner of a rental in a Sydney suburb once phoned me to come and give a quote to repair his home, which had been damaged by a tenant and his family who had just vacated the home still owing a month's rent.
All of the gyprock walls had cooking oil thrown over them, and the kitchen and bathroom had black paint spilled everywhere, including being poured down all drains.
I've always wondered if the next rental they move into would suffer the same treatment should they refuse to pay their rent.

 

[Wombat2u2004]

I am just so glad that we own our house. Unlike our daughter and her husband, they are renting & cannot afford to purchase a house just yet.
Maybe she should set up a GoFundMe for her deposit

The prices of houses in Australia are ridiculously overpriced.
I hope your kids get out of the rental cycle sooner than later.
Just like that Lou Reed song Dirty Boulevard "Somewhere a landlord's laughing till he wets his pants"

 

[Mummanew]

The owner of a rental in a Sydney suburb once phoned me to come and give a quote to repair his home, which had been damaged by a tenant and his family who had just vacated the home still owing a month's rent.
All of the gyprock walls had cooking oil thrown over them, and the kitchen and bathroom had black paint spilled everywhere, including being poured down all drains.
I've always wondered if the next rental they move into would suffer the same treatment should they refuse to pay their rent.

I was a property manager for many years and I've seen worse. Boy could I tell some stories. There really are some feral tenants, but having said that I found the vast majority were decent people and good tenants. As usual though it's the minority that make things hard for everyone.

 

[MariaG]

The owner of a rental in a Sydney suburb once phoned me to come and give a quote to repair his home, which had been damaged by a tenant and his family who had just vacated the home still owing a month's rent.
All of the gyprock walls had cooking oil thrown over them, and the kitchen and bathroom had black paint spilled everywhere, including being poured down all drains.
I've always wondered if the next rental they move into would suffer the same treatment should they refuse to pay their rent.

Yep. It's the yobbos who spoil it for genuine folk.
We had a rental, many years ago. The tenants decided to hold a going away party when they moved out. The weather was bad, so they took a drum inside and ripped half the house apart to use as firewood. Some renters can only be described as pigs.
After that, we pulled the little house down and built a small commercial building. Much less drama.

 

[Jumping Jack Flash]

Just kidding…..

Phew .....

 

[Dynamo]

Scary

 

[IAN3005]

The owner of a rental in a Sydney suburb once phoned me to come and give a quote to repair his home, which had been damaged by a tenant and his family who had just vacated the home still owing a month's rent.
All of the gyprock walls had cooking oil thrown over them, and the kitchen and bathroom had black paint spilled everywhere, including being poured down all drains.
I've always wondered if the next rental they move into would suffer the same treatment should they refuse to pay their rent.

Surely the new landlord would as for a referral??

 

[IAN3005]

That is well justified. Not only would I ask for bank statements for last year but I would have asked for tenants' register for the last 2 years plus a letter from the employer.
In this day and age enough is not enough.

 

[Veggiepatch]

DK Property Partners are nothing but a scumdog bunch of idiots operating outside the Victorian Residential Tenancy Act (1997) - Division 1B—Disclosures and representations prior to entering into residential rental agreements.

What else would you expect from a shady business whose directorship and senior management comprise of Vietnamese and Chinese?

 

[Mummanew]

DK Property Partners are nothing but a scumdog bunch of idiots operating outside the Victorian Residential Tenancy Act (1997) - Division 1B—Disclosures and representations prior to entering into residential rental agreements.

What else would you expect from a shady business whose directorship and senior management comprise of Vietnamese and Chinese?

Yep you hit the nail on the head. One of the reasons I got out of the game was because of these overseas blow ins that think our laws don't apply to them. That goes for agents, tenants and landlords also.

 

[Robbo3006]

Real estate agents are right up there with politicians

 

[IAN3005]

Real estate agents are right up there with politicians

sorry, right down there as they are the lowest scum of the earth. Lower the shark shite

 

[Wombat2u2004]

Surely the new landlord would as for a referral??

I HOPE SO.